Car door



April 1943 F. DITCHFIELD 2,316,321-

CAR DOOR Filed Aug. 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 WW/Qwl April 13, 1943. F. DITCHFIELD 92,316,321

CAR DOOR I Filed Aug. 20, 1940 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 13, 1943 UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE CAR DOOR Frank Ditchfield, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The I Youngstown Steel Door Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 20, 1940,1SerialNo. 353,362

6 Claims. (CI- 20-26) This invention relates to car doors and more particularly to sliding doors for railway house cars and to means for weatherproofing said doors.

It is an object of this invention to provide sliding doors for railway house cars which shall be weatherproof so as to exclude rain, snow, cinders, dust and the like from entering the cars.

A further object is to provide flexible weatherproofing means for sliding doors of railway house cars adapted to be secured to the side walls of said cars around the door openings in said Walls and to become a permanent part of the cars.

A'further object is to provide flexible weatherproofing means for sliding doors of railway house cars wherein the weatherproofing means shall constitute a permanent part of the cars and operate to seal the doors by a flexing'action.

A further object is to provide flexible weatherproofin-g means for sliding doors of railway house cars adapted to be permanently secured to the cars and to seal the doors without requiring modification thereof.

A further object is to provide flexible weatherproofing means for sliding doors of railway house cars wherein the weatherproofing-means are ate tachable to the wall members of the cars prior to the assembly of these members into the walls so as to constitute a unit with these members.

Other objects of the invention will become clear as the description thereof proceeds.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

Fig. l is an elevation of a sliding car door showing the adjacent portion of a car side wallof a railway house car embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section showing a modified form of the invention applied to the rear of the door opening. v

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive of the drawings. The invention is shown applied to one of the walls ill of a railway house car. A door opening II is formed in the wall I0 and is defined by the front and rear door posts l2 and I3, the side plate M and the floor 15. A sliding door l6 of the lift type is mounted upon the outside of the wall l0 and is supported by means of a track ll secured to a side sill 3 by means of a plurality of track supporting brackets I9. A lifting and supporting mechanism for the door is designated generally by the reference numeral 20. Opening and closing mechanism for the door is indicated at 21 and thedoor lock is shown at 22.

The door l-6 embodies a metallic panel 23 preferably formed with a plurality of horizontal corrugations 24 merging at their ends into vertical corrugations 25 and 26. The front vertical margin of the door is reinforced by means of a substantially channel shaped member 21. A sealing strip 28 substantially Z-shaped in section and a reinforcing angle 29 are secured to the rear marginal portion of the door by means of a plurality of rivets 30. As clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings the sealing strip 28 is disposed upon the inside of the door while the reinforcing angle 29 is secured to the'outside of the door. The flange 3| of the reinforcing angle 29 extends inwardly beyond the irmer plane of the door.

Reinforcement of the upper horizontal margin of the door is obtained by means of an angle 32 the inwardly extending flange 33 of which projects beyond the inner plane of the door. The

lower margin of the door is reinforced by means of an angle 34 having an outwardly extending horizontalleg 35 adapted to be seated upon the supporting track I 7 when the door is lowered.

To seal margins'ofthe door so as to prevent the entry of rain, snow, dust, cinders and the like, flexible weatherstrips, preferably of rubber or of fabric and rubber, are utilized. For this purpose an angle member 36 issecured as by meansof rivets 31 to the front door post I2 and is arranged so that one leg thereof 38 extends .outwardly. Tothe outwardly extending leg 38 a flexible Weatherstrip 39 is secured as by rivets 40. As indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4 of thedrawings this Weatherstrip is a flat strip and is sufficiently flexible so as to be bent or flexed by the door during its closing movement to establish tight engagement between the Weatherstrip and the inner face of the door as moreclearly appears in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The angle member 35 normally extends from the track [1 to the underside of the header 4| so that any accumulation of water within the trough of the header may be discharged outwardly beyond the leg 38 of the angle member 36. The flexible Weatherstrip 39 is of the same height as the angle member 33. Disposed forwardly of the outwardly extending leg 38 and secured to the car wall by the rivets 31 is a front stop member 42 against which the front edge of the door is adapted to abut to limit closing movement.

At the rear of the door opening M an angle member 43 similar to the angle member 36 is secured preferably by means of rivets 44 to the rear door post |3 so that the leg 45 of the angle member projects outwardly from the car wall. The outwardly projecting leg 45 carries a spark strip 46 which as more clearly appear in Fig. of the drawings is adapted to cooperate with the sealing strip 28 fastened to the inner face of the door to exclude sparks and the like. The

leg 4'! by means of which the angle member 43 is fastened to the post |3 has secured thereto a flexible weather strip 48 preferably formed of rubber or of rubber and fabric. As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings it is preferred to secure the weatherstrip 48 to the angle member 43 as a sub-assembly, this being accomplished by means of countersunk rivets 49 passing through the leg 41 of the angle member 4.3, the flexible weatherstrip 48 and a plate member 50 disposed upon the outside of the weatherstrip. The rivets 49 are located so as not to interfere with the rivets 44 utilized to secure the angle member 43 to the door post I3. Holes 5| are provided in the weatherstrip 48 and in the plate 58 through which the heads of the rivets 44 extend into engagement with the flange 41 of the angle member 43.

The flexible sealing strip 48 as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings is angular in cross section and embodies a flange 52 by means of which the weatherstrip is secured to the leg 41 of the angle member 43 and an outwardly extending flange 53 and preferably a heel 54 which lies against the edge of the leg 41 and side wall ID to reinforce the weatherstrip. As indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5 the outwardly projecting flange 53 of the weatherstrip normally lies at an acute angle to the adjacent portion of the wall H1. The weatherstrip 48 extends from the track H to the underside of the retainer 55 secured to the side plate I4. To permit this extension a portion of the outwardly extending flange 53 of the weatherstrip is removed as indicated at 58.

The header 4|, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, is secured to the side plate M and is substantially trough shaped in section. The outer flange 51 of the header extends preferably upwardly and outwardly. Secured to the flanii 51 is a non-metallic flexible weatherstrip 58 preferably of rubber or of rubber and fabric. As indicated by the dotted lines in this figure the weatherstrip is normally flat and projects above the flange 51 of the header. The weatherstrip 58 is adapted to be engaged as hereinafter explained by the inwardly extending flange 33 of the door reinforcing angle 32 to flex t e weatherstrip and establish an effective seal with the flange 33.

An effective weather seal is provided at the lower margin of the door as well. The floor |5 is protected by. means of a threshold plate 59 which extends outwardly beyond the floor. This outwardly extending portion of the threshold plate is bent inwardly as indicated at 60 around the supporting flange 6| of the angle 32. The threshold plate is then bent downwardly and outwardly to provide an attaching flange 53 for a flat flexible weatherstrip 84 formed preferably of rubber or rubber and fabric. As with the weatherstrips hereinabove described sealing engagement between the lower portion of the door and the weatherstrip 64 is obtained by flexing or bending of the weatherstrip.

Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive illustrate the weatherstrips around the door opening in sealing engagement with the door. From the closed position illustrated the door may be moved open by elevating and supporting the door by means of the lift mechanism 20. When elevated the inwardly extending flange 33 of the door reinforcing angle 32 and the door reinforcing angle 34 will be disengaged respectively from the weatherstrips 58 and 64. As the door moves in opening direction the front vertical margin thereof will be disengaged from the weatherstrip 39 and the inwardly extending flange 3| of the reinforcing angle 29 will be disengaged from the outwardly projecting flange 53 of the weatherstrip 48. These weatherstrips relieved of the pressure exerted upon them by the door will then return to their normal positions indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive. It will be apparent that the flange 53 of the weatherstrip 48 will be engaged by the sealing strip 28 as the door is opened and that the flange 53 will readily flex so as to permit the sealing strip to pass.

To close the door, it is elevated and moved in closing direction until it engages the front door stop 42. In the final closing movement the front vertical margin of the door will engage the flexible weatherstrip 39 causing it to take the form shown in full lines in Fig. 4 of the drawings and to establish an effective seal for the front of the door. The flange 53 of the rear weatherstrip 48 will be engaged by the sealing strip and flexed to permit passage of the sealing strip. The flange 53 will subsequently be engaged by the inwardly extending flange 3| which will cause the flange 53 to be flexed from the position indicated by the dotted lines to the position shown by the full lines in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Tight engagement between flanges 3| and 53 is thereby established and an effective seal created. When the door is engaged by the front stop it is permitted to lower so as to seat'itself upon the door track H. In this lowering movement the weatherstrip 58 secured to the header 4| is engaged and flexed by the inwardly extending flange 33 of the angle member 32. Also during this lowering movement the flexible weatherstrip 64 is engaged and flexed by the angle member 34. In both instances the flexing of the weatherstrips 58 and 64 establishes tight sealing engagement between them and the angle members with which they are engaged.

It is to be observed that in each instance compression of the weatherstrip to establish sealing engagement is avoided.

A modified form of the invention as applied at the rear of the door opening is illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. A sealing strip 65 which is preferably flat and formed of rubber or rubber and fabric is secured to the flange 47 of the angle member 43 by means of inner and outer plates 66 and 81 and countersunk rivets 68 so that the weatherstrip and the angle member 43 may constitute a unit prior to the application of the angle member 43 to the rear door post I3. The plates 36 and G1 are bent as clearly indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawings so as to form the initially flat weatherstrip 65 into a weatherstrip which is substantially channel shaped in section having outwardly directed straight flanges 69 and ID. The angle member 43 with its attached flexible weatherstrip 65 is secured to the door post l3 in the manner described for the securement of the angle member 43 and Weatherstrip 48.

By utilizing the Weatherstrip above described and illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings a double flexible seal may be secured for the rear edge of the door. As clearly appears in this figure, the sealing strip 28 engages and flexes the flange 10 so as to establish a tight seal therewith while the flange 3! of the reinforcing angle 29 engages the flange 69 of the flexible sealing strip and bending it as illustrated to establish a tight seal between these flanges. The instant invention contemplates as well the use of a flexible sealing strip afiording the flange 19 only and omitting the flange 69. An effective seal will be secured in this instance between the flange I and the sealing strip 28.

While a sliding door of the lift type has been illustrated in connection with the invention, it will be evident that the invention may be utilized with straight sliding doors as well and that it is not limited to doors of the particular construction shown. Preferment has been shown for rubber or rubber and fabric as the material from which the weatherstrips are made. It will be clear, however, that any other flexible material suitable for the purpose of the instant invention may be utilized instead.

It is to be observed that the Weatherstripping provided is substantially permanent and is permanently attached to the car wall. The weatherstripping, moreover, does not necessitate any alteration in or addition to the door.

It will be apparent that numerous changes and modifications in the details of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art. It is intended, therefore, that all such modifications and changes be comprehended within this invention, which is to be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a railway house car having a wall provided with a door opening, a spark strip secured to said wall adjacent to the rear of said door opening, a flexible Weatherstrip secured to said 7 Wall rearwardly of said spark strip, said weatherstrip having spaced outwardly extending flanges, a sliding door mounted upon the outside of said wall, a sealing strip on said door adapted to engage said spark strip, an angular member on said door having an inwardly extending flange, said sealing strip and said flange of said angular member engaging said outwardly extending flanges when said door is closed.

2. In a railway house car having a wall provided with a door opening, a flap of flexible material secured to and along said wall adjacent to the rear of said door opening and projecting freely from said wall, a longitudinally sliding door mounted upon said wall, said door having a member secured to the rear vertical margin thereof and extending therefrom toward said wall, said flexible flap projecting into the path of longitudinal movement of the extending portion of said member, said extending portion of said member engaging and freely bending said flexible flap in the final longitudinal closing movement of said door to exclude rain, snow, cinders, dust and the like, said flap being out of engagement with said door during substantially all other longitudinal movement of said door.

3. In a railway house car having a wall provided with a door opening, a Weatherstrip secured to and along said wall adjacent to the rear of said door opening, said Weatherstrip having a flexible flap projecting freely outwardly and rearwardly from said wall, a longitudinally sliding door mounted upon said wall, said door having a reinforcing member secured to the rear vertical margin thereof, said member having a vertical flange extending toward said wall, said flexible flange projecting into the path of longitudinal movement of said flange of said reinforcing member, said latter flange engaging and freely bending said flexible Weatherstrip flange in the final longitudinal closing movement of said door to exclude rain, snow, cinders, dust and the like, said flexible flange being out of engagement with said door during substantially all other longitudinal movement of said door.

4. In a railway house car having a wall provided with a door opening, a flap of flexible materia1 secured to and along said wall adjacent to the front of said door opening and projecting freely from said wall, a door stop secured to said wall in spaced relationship to said flexible flap, and a longitudinally sliding door mounted upon said wall, said flexible flap extending into the path of longitudinal movement of said door, the front vertical margin of said door engaging and freely bending said flap during final longitudinal closing movement of said door, for the purpose set forth, said stop limiting closing movement of said door.

5. In a railway house car having a wall provided with a door opening, a metallic flange extending from said wall adjacent to the front of said door opening, a flap of flexible material secured to and along said flange and projecting freely beyond said flange, a door stop secured to said wall in spaced relationship to said metallic flange and a longitudinally sliding door mounted upon said wall, said flexible flap extending into the path of longitudinal movement of said door, the front vertical margin of said door engaging and freely bending said flap during final longitudinal closing movement of said door, for the purpose set forth, said stop limiting closing movement of said door.

6. In a railway house car having a wall provided with a door opening, a flap of flexible material secured to and along said wall adjacent to a vertical marginal edge of said door opening and projecting freely from said wall, a longitudinally sliding door mounted upon said wall, said flexible flap extending into the path of longitudinal movement of said door, said door engaging and freely bending said flexible flap in the final longitudinal closing movement of said door to exclude rain, snow, cinders, dust, and the like, said flap being out of engagement with said door during substantially all other longitudinal movement of said door.

FRANK DITCHFIELD. 

